Benchmarking
Benchmarking
We actively engage in various benchmarking activities, working groups, and best practice initiatives each year to enhance our organisational performance.
Benchmarking is an effective tool for the observation, analysis and reporting of performance over a period of time. By comparing our performance, we can gain insights into our strengths and identify areas that require improvement.
The activities outlined below are integral to our commitment to achieving operational excellence and delivering high standards of service to our communities.
External Benchmarking
This section summarises our comparative findings on absenteeism and prompt payment performance. It also provides an overview of our participation in the Association for Public Service Excellence Northern Ireland Benchmarking Project.
Absenteeism
In 2023/24, 16.46 days were lost per full-time equivalent employee, 1.48 days less than 2022/23, but exceeding our target of 14 days.
Almost 65% of employees experienced no absence during the year, indicating the high rate primarily relates to a small number of long-term absences rather than a large number of frequent, short-term absences. Contributing factors include difficulties accessing medical consultations and treatments leading to extended periods of absence. Unfortunately, there has also been a significant increase in the diagnosis of severe health issues among staff.
In terms of benchmarking with other councils in Northern Ireland, the latest comparable data is for the 2022/23 financial year. During this period, the average rate of absenteeism across all councils was 16.70 days. At 17.94 days, we ranked third lowest in terms of performance, ahead of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council at 19.91 days, and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council at 23.26 days.
We are committed to implementing strategies to reduce levels of absenteeism, and have taken a number of steps, including:
- Our Audit and Scrutiny Committee is currently conducting a review into absenteeism.
- We delivered a range of health and wellbeing activities and initiatives across the year, including, Health and Wellbeing Week, Be Kind to Your Mind, and Stress Awareness and Management.
- We launched our Listening to Staff Survey in November 2022. The survey, which was supported by Trade Union colleagues and our Senior Management Team, aimed to give staff a voice, and sought to improve wellbeing, satisfaction levels, and attendance. Working groups were established to examine the survey results and to identify the next steps. The process is ongoing.
Absenteeism across Northern Ireland councils (annual results)
|
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
2019/20 12.41 days |
2020/21 7.87 days |
2021/22 14.7 days |
2022/23 15.51 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Ards and North Down Borough Council |
2019/20 14.19 days |
2020/21 10.59 days |
2021/22 14.17 days |
2022/23 15.70 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
2019/20 18.28 days |
2020/21 15.67 days |
2021/22 20.51 days |
2022/23 19.91 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Belfast City Council
|
2019/20 13.58 days |
2020/21 10.86 days |
2021/22 16.33 days |
2022/23 17.09 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council |
2019/20 17.82 days |
2020/21 11.34 days |
2021/22 17.01 days |
2022/23 16.99 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Derry City and Strabane District Council
|
2019/20 14.5 days |
2020/21 10.37 days |
2021/22 16.8 days |
2022/23 16.5 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
|
2019/20 13.77 days |
2020/21 9.69 days |
2021/22 13.15 days |
2022/23 11.94 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
|
2019/20 13.8 days |
2020/21 11.5 days |
2021/22 13.6 days |
2022/23 15.8 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council |
2019/20 10.64 days |
2020/21 4.68 days |
2021/22 15.21 days |
2022/23 17.94 days |
2023/24 16.46 days |
|
Mid Ulster District Council
|
2019/20 11.7 days |
2020/21 9.72 days |
2021/22 12.11 days |
2022/23 13.13 days |
2023/24 Not available |
|
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
|
2019/20 15.8 days |
2020/21 13.6 days |
2021/22 20.66 days |
2022/23 23.26 days |
2023/24 Not available |
Percentage of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council staff with no sickness absence in the year (annual results)
|
2019/20 |
54% |
|
2020/21 |
78% |
|
2021/22 |
72% |
|
2022/23 |
64% |
|
2023/24 |
64% |
Prompt Payment Performance
This section analyses how efficiently we process invoices and pay our suppliers.
During 2023/24, 65% of invoices were paid within 10 working days, exceeding our target of 53%, but less than the 74% recorded in 2022/23.
For invoices paid within 30 working days, we achieved 81% against a target of 85%, compared with 87% in 2022/23.
In relation to the percentage of invoices paid within 30 days, our performance is notably lower than the other regional councils. Mid Ulster District Council paid 100% of invoices within the 30-day target, and both Ards and North Down Borough Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council paid 96% of their invoices within the target timeframe. We also fell short of the regional average of 90.73%.
The reasons why this target has not been achieved are varied and complex, and we are implementing measures to address the issues, as follows:
- We are working to fully integrate and optimise our new financial management system which was adopted towards the end of 2021.
- Prompt payment performance has been identified as a key performance indicator in the delivery of our Corporate Plan 2024-2028.
- To avoid payment delays, a mandatory indicator has been included in each service area’s business plan for 2024/25, ensuring purchase orders are receipted in a timely manner after goods or services are received.
Prompt payment performance - Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (annual results)
|
Invoices paid within 10 days |
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|
2019/20 50% |
2020/21 57% |
2021/22 68% |
2022/23 74% |
2023/24 65% |
|
Invoices paid within 30 days (but more than 10 days) |
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|
2019/20 36% |
2020/21 27% |
2021/22 27% |
2022/23 13% |
2023/24 16% |
|
Invoices paid outside 30 days |
||||
|
2019/20 14% |
2020/21 16% |
2021/22 5% |
2022/23 13% |
2023/24 19% |
(Source: Unaudited data from the Department for Communities quarterly publications).
The percentage of payments made within 30 days - By Northern Ireland council (annual results)
|
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council |
2019/20 86% |
2020/21 89% |
2021/22 80% |
2022/23 80% |
2023/24 84% |
|
Ards and North Down Borough Council |
2019/20 93% |
2020/21 96% |
2021/22 98% |
2022/23 97% |
2023/24 96% |
|
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council |
2019/20 67% |
2020/21 91% |
2021/22 95% |
2022/23 95% |
2023/24 96% |
|
Belfast City Council |
2019/20 93% |
2020/21 93% |
2021/22 94% |
2022/23 92% |
2023/24 93% |
|
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council |
2019/20 79% |
2020/21 87% |
2021/22 92% |
2022/23 91% |
2023/24 87% |
|
Derry City and Strabane District Council |
2019/20 81% |
2020/21 79% |
2021/22 65% |
2022/23 74% |
2023/24 82% |
|
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council |
2019/20 94% |
2020/21 94% |
2021/22 94% |
2022/23 96% |
2023/24 95% |
|
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council |
2019/20 91% |
2020/21 87% |
2021/22 91% |
2022/23 87% |
2023/24 89% |
|
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council |
2019/20 86% |
2020/21 84% |
2021/22 95% |
2022/23 87% |
2023/24 81% |
|
Mid Ulster District Council |
2019/20 94% |
2020/21 95% |
2021/22 99% |
2022/23 99% |
2023/24 100% |
|
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council |
2019/20 90% |
2020/21 86% |
2021/22 89% |
2022/23 86% |
2023/24 95% |
The Association of Public Service Excellence
We have participated in the Association for Public Service Excellence Benchmarking Project since 2015/16. This initiative gathers and compares data from participating councils across the region each year for the following service areas:
- Arts and Heritage
- Building Control
- Cemetery and Crematorium Services
- Community Development
- Corporate Services (Organisational Design and Human Resources, ICT, Registration Services, Training and Learning, Finance and Financial Services, Legal Services, Democratic Services, Complaints, and the Cost of Services)
- Economic Development
- Environmental Health
- Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services
- Planning
- Refuse Collection
- Street Cleansing
- Sports and Leisure
2022/23 results
The most recently available comparable data is for the 2022/23 financial year, for which we submitted data for 132 indicators, 115 of which were comparable. Of the comparable indicators:
- We achieved top position in 10% (12 indicators), showcasing our strengths and leading practices within these areas.
- We ranked lowest in 17% (19 indicators), highlighting specific areas where improvements are necessary.
- We performed better than the regional average in 41% (47 indicators), indicating strong performance in nearly half of the comparable indicators.
- We performed below the regional average in 32% (37 indicators), highlighting opportunities for growth and development.
The findings from the survey were shared with each department, and influenced the development of business plans for 2024/25.
Best Practice
We actively participate in best practice learning each year. By doing so, we hope to enhance our own service delivery and ensure the best outcomes for our borough.
A comprehensive list of best practice initiatives undertaken in 2023/24 can be found in Appendix 4.
Internal Benchmarking
We also conduct extensive internal benchmarking, as part of our performance improvement arrangements.
This process is facilitated through the inclusion and monitoring of performance indicators within our Corporate Plan and annual departmental business plans.
By regularly analysing and comparing these indicators, we can identify successes, address challenges, and implement effective strategies to demonstrate continuous improvement. We have provided some examples of this below.
Number of health and safety accidents recorded (annual results)
|
2019/20 |
49 |
|
2020/21 |
14 |
|
2021/22 |
19 |
|
2022/23 |
11 |
|
2023/24 |
10 |
Over the last five years, the number of health and safety accidents recorded has decreased significantly, from 49 in 2019/20 to 10 in 2023/24.
Number of training days per full-time equivalent employee (annual results)
|
2021/22 |
1.36 days |
|
2022/23 |
3.5 days |
|
2023/24 |
3.46 days |
We have demonstrated a consistent focus on enhancing skills and knowledge across the workforce, ensuring our teams are well-equipped to meet evolving challenges, and to deliver high-quality services.
Figures are only available from 2021/22 onwards, as the total spend on training per full-time equivalent employee was measured previously.
Number of visitors to strategic tourist attractions (annual results)
|
2019/20 |
92,026 |
|
2020/21 |
5,016 |
|
2021/22 |
39,055 |
|
2022/23 |
86,432 |
|
2023/24 |
98,455 |
There was a dramatic reduction in the number of visitors to our strategic tourist attractions in 2020/21, a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Since 2021/22 visitor numbers have shown a positive recovery, with 2023/24 exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Number of attendees at Council-led events (annual results)
|
2019/20 |
38,050 |
|
2020/21 |
9,100 |
|
2021/22 |
29,060 |
|
2022/23 |
29,800 |
|
2023/24 |
42,830 |
Once again, the COVID-19 pandemic was an impacting factor on the number of events and attendees in 2020/21. Attendance figures have since rebounded, showing steady year on year growth, with a 43% increase in the number of attendees from 2022/23 to 2023/24.
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Street Cleanliness LEAMS score (annual results)
|
2019/20 |
72% |
|
2020/21 |
69% |
|
2021/22 |
76% |
|
2022/23 |
72% |
|
2023/24 |
70% |
A LEAMS scores takes account of how clean or littered an area is. A score closer to 100 indicates better performance, and 66 is the point at which performance is considered acceptable.